Western New York Regional Economic Development Council to announce official completion of Artpark improvements

by jmaloni

Tue, Aug 14th 2012 04:40 pm

Artpark & Company has finished significant improvements to its outdoor concert facilities.

Press release

The Western New York Regional Economic
Development Council will announce Tuesday night that Artpark &
Company has officially completed significant improvements to its
popular summer concert venue facilities with the assistance of a
$391,150 award that was part of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's Regional
Council initiative. The improvements will help strengthen the
Lewiston amphitheater's place as a leading destination in Western
New York for visual and performing arts.

"Artpark is justly famous for
bringing incredible cultural experiences to our community, and that
reputation for excellence has helped to make Western New York a hub
for artists, performers and visitors of all ages. These improvements
have helped draw even larger crowds this year, providing a boost to
area businesses and the local economy," said Satish K. Tripathi,
president of the University at Buffalo and Regional Council co-chair.
"While supporting one of our leading arts institutions, this
project also helps to support cultural tourism - a key opportunity
for economic growth in our region. By helping enrich the visual and
performing art spaces at Artpark, we enhance one of our region's
great cultural treasures and give people yet another reason to visit
and learn about all that Western New York has to offer."

"Artpark is one of the nation's
most beautiful outdoor concert facilities and, by improving access
and services for visitors and acts, it will continue to draw top
talent and the thousands of people that come to see them from
throughout the state and nation and across the border," said Howard
A. Zemsky, managing partner at Larkin Development Group and Regional
Council co-chair. "The region has already felt the impact of these
improvements. Between the concerts and other activities, including
camps and family nights, the economic activity generated by
additional visitors to local businesses will help our communities and
further raise the profile of this premier Western New York
destination."

The $3.4 million project significantly
improved the concert experience for Artpark's outdoor audiences,
including re-grading the lawn seating area to expand views of the
stage, performers and the majestic backdrop of the Niagara Gorge. In
addition, the project improved patron access into the seating area
and provided new service areas for concessions, a new restroom
building, and an enlarged and improved sponsor area.

"The improvements to the Artpark
Amphitheater and the adjacent family activities area have already had
a significant positive impact on the region," said George Osborne,
Artpark & Company president. "It is a much safer, user-friendly
facility that has provided additional employment for stage crew,
concessions crew, vending crews, and security personnel. It has made
it possible for us to provide more and better services to the
residents of Western New York and to countless visitors from across
the nation."

Osborne noted that, through Aug. 14,
the facility has presented 15 major concerts by national acts, two
youth rock concerts, a "Family Movie Night," and hosted five
weeks of art camps as well as four "Family Saturday" days. Total
usage of the new facility is expected to exceed 150,000 persons in
this inaugural season.

Last year, a total of $785 million was
awarded through the consolidated funding application for job creation
and community development projects consistent with each region's
strategic plans. As part of that process, Artpark & Company was
awarded $391,150 from the Environmental Protection Fund administered
by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. OPRHP
made $16 million available in 2011 to assist in the development of
parks and recreational facilities to preserve, rehabilitate or
restore lands, waters or structures for park, recreation or
conservation purposes, and for structural assessments or planning for
such projects.

"I am grateful the Western New York
Regional Economic Development Council recognized the importance of
Artpark to the region's vitality," said Rose Harvey, OPRHP
commissioner. "Cultural destinations are fundamental building
blocks of vibrant, livable communities. This investment in Artpark
will give people one more reason to live in and visit Western New
York."

State Sen. George D. Maziarz said,
"Artpark provides residents and visitors a world-class cultural
destination and is a leader in this field in Western New York. The
improvements that were made are consistent with keeping this facility
as one of the top concert and performance destinations in the area,
and will therefore continue to have a positive impact on this area. I
applaud the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council
for assisting in Artpark's development by awarding this funding."

Assemblyman John D. Ceretto said, "The
completion of these capital projects will allow Artpark to remain a
destination in the region. The investment in Artpark by the Regional
Council enhances Artpark's reputation as a cultural leader in the
area and provides an even greater experience for visitors."

Artpark & Company, a not-for-profit
organization, presents all of the programming in the Earl W. Brydges
Artpark State Park. Artpark & Company is dedicated to presenting
the finest in performing and visual arts programs, including Broadway
musicals and classical, jazz and pop music concerts; art exhibits;
classes, workshops and demonstrations; and tours of the park's
geological and historic sites and nature trails. Over the past 10
years, Artpark's amphitheater has become one of the most popular
concert venues in Western New York, especially for its low-cost
summer concerts on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.